Disappointment over Government’s Pleural Plaques Verdict
Added 26/02/2010A statement released today by the Department for Justice has confirmed there will be no reinstatement of compensation for asbestos-related pleural plaques. The announcement by Jack Straw, which the Government have delayed for 18 months, will devastate pleural plaques victims.
Pleural plaques was a compensatable condition before 2006, and in Scotland, pleural plaques is now compensatable again, after the Scottish Parliament reversed the House of Lords ruling on the issue.
The Government have announced that they will make payments of £5000 to individuals who had already begun, but not resolved, a legal claim for compensation for pleural plaques at the time of the Law Lords’ ruling in October 2007, but will not open compensation to any other pleural plaques sufferers.
Paul Rowen, MP for Rochdale and Liberal Democrat Health and Safety spokesperson said: “This is a devastating blow to pleural plaques sufferers. The Government have kept them waiting for an answer for over 18 months, and now they are told they still cannot claim for their condition.
We know that there is a relationship between pleural plaques and asbestos-related diseases. When the courts dealt with these cases before 2004, they accepted that relationship. In 99 per cent of cases, exposure has been negligent and should be compensated by employers.”
The statement today announced increased payments for mesothelioma claims from 1st April 2010, and set out a plan to form a working group to examine litigation practices and procedures for compensation claims relating to the incurable asbestos-related lung cancer mesothelioma.
The statement also announced the creation of an Employers’ Liability Tracing Office and an Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau, which will be a fund of last resort for individuals across the UK who are unable to trace EL insurance records.
Paul Rowen added: “Of course, I welcome additional compensation for mesothelioma sufferers, and the setting up of an Employers Liability Tracing Office and Insurance Bureau. However, these are separate issues to pleural plaques compensation, and the Government’s attitude to this is deeply disappointing.”